Bullish Assad: Syria president praises march of ‘fierce’ troops

Soldiers of the Syrian government forces patrol on a tank in a devastated street on July 31, 2013 in the district of al-Khalidiyah in the central Syrian city of Homs. The Syrian government announced the capture of Khalidiyah, a key rebel district in Homs, Syria's third city and a symbol of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/JOSEPH JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad today praised his troops for fighting the “fiercest” war.

He marked the country’s army day with a statement which said: “Had we in Syria not been confident of victory, we wouldn’t have been able to resist” for over two years. More than 100,000 people have died since the uprising against the Assad family’s four-decade rule began in March 2011.

The revolt escalated into civil war, uprooting millions from their homes. Government forces have made significant recent gains against the rebels on several key fronts, mostly in the central province of Homs and near the capital Damascus.